Apologies if this should be in the hardware forum, but it is specific to MSFS, so I hope it's OK to post here. Essentially, I want to begin a brand new cockpit build, based around a triple, 4K monitor setup. However, I'm finding it difficult to understand how I could get anywhere near the kind of performance I would find acceptable when flying the PMDG 738, (smooth 30fps) with all the additional addons, things like GSX, BATC, Atmos weather, FS Realistic, real weather, etc. Some airports with my current setup return a FPS of about 35 when sat at the gate, mostly around 35-40. Average in the air I guess would be about 40. Obviously GA is better, but my go-to flying is in the 738, so that's what's important to me. I did a very rough test yesterday and opened up two additional windows in 2020, immediately my frames dropped in half to around 15!

I am prepared to invest in a 4090 if I go down the route of 3x monitors, but I cannot see that would double my performance, which is what I need to achieve. Using frame generation is OK for a single monitor, but I think I am right in saying the two side monitors would not benefit? I'm not sure I could accept taxiing around large airports with a stutterfest on the two side monitors! Is there anyone who can offer their thoughts about what I'd like to do and how I could acieve it?

Edited December 30, 20241 yr by Rocky_53

While I’m not up to speed on your reaction to 2024 (maybe you hate it?), I will say that on my system (5800x3d, 4090, 64 GB RAM), 2024 is a lot smoother than 2020 and will do better with multiple monitors. 
 

if you don’t like 2024, then just ignore this 🙂 not telling you to use it or anything. 

11 hours ago, Rocky_53 said:

Apologies if this should be in the hardware forum, but it is specific to MSFS, so I hope it's OK to post here. Essentially, I want to begin a brand new cockpit build, based around a triple, 4K monitor setup. However, I'm finding it difficult to understand how I could get anywhere near the kind of performance I would find acceptable when flying the PMDG 738, (smooth 30fps) with all the additional addons, things like GSX, BATC, Atmos weather, FS Realistic, real weather, etc. Some airports with my current setup return a FPS of about 35 when sat at the gate, mostly around 35-40. Average in the air I guess would be about 40. Obviously GA is better, but my go-to flying is in the 738, so that's what's important to me. I did a very rough test yesterday and opened up two additional windows in 2020, immediately my frames dropped in half to around 15!

HI Rocky,

I run a three 4k 48" LG C4's off my 4090 and another three 24" monitors off my iGPU. You are correct that the additional 2 4k monitors will really hurt your frames in 2020 - both via an increase in main thread timing and an increase in GPU timing. Note, that its NOT just GPU that will increase, so you're CPU needs to be up to the task as well. I'm happy to do some "test locations" for you to show the impact of going from one window to three windows should you wish to check any particular location - I also use BATC and AIG with GSX.

As you rightly say, you can only use FG on one monitor at a time which really makes it useless for a triple monitor setup - adding it to the one monitor simply throws the others out of "sync". I use TruMotion (motion smoothing) on my OLEDS which helps however for it to have an effect of value you need to maintain a raw frame rate of around 30.

I normally lock VSYNC at half frames which for me is 30 and this works on my setup at MOST locations if I limit the AI traffic. I can sit at moderate 3rd party airports with a handful of AI in the Fenix or PMDG and maintain 30fps. 

There are times when I get annoyed that I can't maintain 30 FPS at more complex airports or with more AI and a switch back to just one monitor and I find it claustrophobic - Triple monitors really is a good way to go!

I run three monitors in 4k with a 5800X3d, 3090 and 32 GB RAM.  I generally run on High-End with some individual optimisations turned down.  I use Project Lasso with MS2020.  On 2020 I typically get 30fps (which is enough for this type of simulation) although with say London or Manhatten it can get into the mid 20s.  Note this is mostly with GA aircraft.

Haven't done enough testing on 2024 yet to compare it.

While a 4090 would be nice I'm quite happy with the result.

Multiple monitors is a different beast... in my experience you can't compare a single monitor system to a triple...the consequences of adding the additional two render windows, particularly at 4k is significant 

10 hours ago, KL Oo said:

HI Rocky,

I run a three 4k 48" LG C4's off my 4090 and another three 24" monitors off my iGPU. You are correct that the additional 2 4k monitors will really hurt your frames in 2020 - both via an increase in main thread timing and an increase in GPU timing. Note, that its NOT just GPU that will increase, so you're CPU needs to be up to the task as well. I'm happy to do some "test locations" for you to show the impact of going from one window to three windows should you wish to check any particular location - I also use BATC and AIG with GSX.

As you rightly say, you can only use FG on one monitor at a time which really makes it useless for a triple monitor setup - adding it to the one monitor simply throws the others out of "sync". I use TruMotion (motion smoothing) on my OLEDS which helps however for it to have an effect of value you need to maintain a raw frame rate of around 30.

I normally lock VSYNC at half frames which for me is 30 and this works on my setup at MOST locations if I limit the AI traffic. I can sit at moderate 3rd party airports with a handful of AI in the Fenix or PMDG and maintain 30fps. 

There are times when I get annoyed that I can't maintain 30 FPS at more complex airports or with more AI and a switch back to just one monitor and I find it claustrophobic - Triple monitors really is a good way to go!

Thanks for the advice Kael, very helpful. I am going to give things some real consideration

I run a 4 monitor setup. 4K in the middle and 1080's on the sides, all 27" monitors.

I also have a 1080 touch screen below the middle screen, for Air Manager or popouts.

I also use one or more iPads for Fenix MCDU and EFB.

This works great for me usually about 60 FPS in 2024.

I fly a lot of Helicopters and it really helps to have the side monitors both for immersion but also for hovering close to the ground. I find using 1080 for side monitors is fine as most attention is on the main monitor, your brain really makes it all feel the same. We can't even see color with our peripheral vision, but our brain adds it in. Pretty interesting when you study how vision actually works. We are very good at seeing motion peripherally but not detail at all.

Description of system in my sig.

Edited December 31, 20241 yr by 177B

2 hours ago, 177B said:

I run a 4 monitor setup. 4K in the middle and 1080's on the sides, all 27" monitors.

I also have a 1080 touch screen below the middle screen, for Air Manager or popouts.

I also use one or more iPads for Fenix MCDU and EFB.

This works great for me usually about 60 FPS in 2024.

I fly a lot of Helicopters and it really helps to have the side monitors both for immersion but also for hovering close to the ground. I find using 1080 for side monitors is fine as most attention is on the main monitor, your brain really makes it all feel the same. We can't even see color with our peripheral vision, but our brain adds it in. Pretty interesting when you study how vision actually works. We are very good at seeing motion peripherally but not detail at all.

Description of system in my sig.

Hmm, I'm guessing you're flying default aircraft? Also, is this with frame gen?

I do fly one default Heli the R66 all the rest I fly are mostly payware. The Fenix A320 is fantastic payware as well.

I have flown the 172 and the B36 as well as the Baron 2024 defaults. 

I do use frame gen, I did publish all my settings for 2024 a few weeks ago, you can search for the post.

I use mostly 2024 now but 2020 every once in a while.

Happy new year!

 

@Rocky_53

If you start using 2 monitors instead of one you will loose 40-50% FPS

If you start using 3 monitors you will loose another 40-50% FPS.

My server has 2 4K tv’s as Front + Right view. To get 30+ FPS onder all circumstances I had to but Fast hardware : 13900 K @ 5.3 GHz / 4090 / 2 TB M2 / Liquid Cooling system.

With all settings at High/Ultra + AI Live Traffic I see 37 FPS as the lowest framerate.

I also use Lossless Scaling to multiple the FPS. Front view 30 FPS / Right view 60 FPS. Side views need more FPS to look smooth.

3 hours ago, GSalden said:

@Rocky_53

If you start using 2 monitors instead of one you will loose 40-50% FPS

If you start using 3 monitors you will loose another 40-50% FPS.

My server has 2 4K tv’s as Front + Right view. To get 30+ FPS onder all circumstances I had to but Fast hardware : 13900 K @ 5.3 GHz / 4090 / 2 TB M2 / Liquid Cooling system.

With all settings at High/Ultra + AI Live Traffic I see 37 FPS as the lowest framerate.

I also use Lossless Scaling to multiple the FPS. Front view 30 FPS / Right view 60 FPS. Side views need more FPS to look smooth.

It looks achievable with how you describe Gerard. The only 'fly in the ointment' for me, is being unable to use lossles scaling on the two side monitors. Will have to think more.

Just now, Rocky_53 said:

It looks achievable with how you describe Gerard. The only 'fly in the ointment' for me, is being unable to use frame generation on the two side monitors. Will have to think more.

 

10 hours ago, Rocky_53 said:

It looks achievable with how you describe Gerard. The only 'fly in the ointment' for me, is being unable to use lossles scaling on the two side monitors. Will have to think more.

It would be great if Lossless Scaling could work on multiple monitors simultaneously however I've never seen a way of getting that working. Like native frame generation within 2020, it only works on one monitor at a time.